Treesearch

For centuries, western white pine (Pinus monticola) dominated moist forests of the northern Rocky Mountains. The fast-growing species, which can reach heights of 150 feet, was once an economic driver in the region. However, not much of the former forest remains. A combination of blister rust, beetles, and logging severely reduced the range of white pine during the 20th century.

Acres needing stand improvement, except for 2009, have consistently remained above 2.0 million acres per year from 2010 through 2019 (fig. 1a). Most of the acres consist of precommercial thinning (70%) followed by release (26%) with only a small portion of acres needing pruning and/or fertilization (4%). However, the proportion (an average of 11.7%) of acres treated are much smaller when compared to the acres that need treatment (fig. 1a, dark line). This is causing a critical imbalance concerning stand tending that is inconsistent with statutory direction contained in the National Forest...

Black ash (Fraxinus nigra) swamps represent 4.5% of the forested area in the western Great Lakes region (Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin). Within the swamp hardwood cover type, black ash comprises 40% to almost 100% of the canopy cover and acts as a foundational species, impacting hydrologic regime, nutrient cycling, and wildlife habitat. The dominance of black ash in these stands makes them particularly vulnerable to the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) (Coleoptera: Buprestidae). EAB infestation can result in a mortality rate of up to 99% for ash species...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service’s National Reforestation, Nursery, and Genetics Resources (RNGR) Program is conducted by a team of specialists (referred to as the “RiNGeR Team”) that provides regional and national technical assistance to nursery, reforestation, restoration, and seed professionals. The Forest Service National Seed Laboratory (NSL), a Tribal nursery emphasis, and research projects are also key components of the RNGR Program. RNGR Team members are geographically dispersed and attuned to both regional and national needs.

Hot, dry climates are a menace to seedling establishment in naturally and artificially regenerated forests alike. These tough outplanting conditions are problematic because a seedling’s limited mass dictates reserves of energy (sugars or starch), water, and nutrients. Furthermore, in order to establish itself, risky investments in growth must precede any leap in a seedling’s ability to acquire new resources (i.e., increases in light interception for photosynthesis or soil exploration for water and nutrient uptake). With new climate normals indicating hotter and dryer growing seasons...

One way to increase conversion of woody residues often burned in slash piles into a value-added product is to expand markets for biochar. Biochar has been used to increase the growth of agricultural crops, grass, and urban trees and it has also been used as replacement for Sphagnum peat moss, perlite, or vermiculite in growing substrates for container seedlings (Dumroese et al. 2020). Using biochar in bareroot nursery beds is an opportunity for improving soil properties while also reducing nutrient and irrigation inputs. After 1 year, biochar reduced the amounts of NO3 -- N (fig. 1)...

In the upper Midwest, climate change is expected to result in longer periods of drought during the growing season and increased summer temperatures. These pose a particular threat to seedlings, both natural and artificial regeneration, which are more susceptible to drought than mature trees. Biochar, a product created through pyrolysis of organic material (including wood and wood waste), has been proposed as a soil amendment that can both increase the water-holding capacity of soil (and therefore increase the drought tolerance of seedlings in that soil) and increase carbon storage. In this...

Scientist-manager partnerships are investigating novel silvicultural approaches for improving postfire reforestation success and fostering long-term climate-change adaptation in California’s low-elevation, westside Sierra Nevada forests.

The successful reestablishment of native conifer tree stands is a key step in forest restoration. In recent years, high severity wildfires have burned tens of millions of acres of forests in the western United States. Many of these lands require artificial reforestation and subsequent management in order to be fully restored and resilient to future drought, wildfire, and widespread insect attacks. Even though some seed trees may remain in the burned landscapes, natural regeneration has not guaranteed a resilient forest that can withstand the next wildfire. Furthermore, following regeneratio...

The Crosby Farms ASCC site sits in a Saint Paul Park and Recreation Area, owned and managed by the City of Saint Paul, that is embedded within the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA), a national park. Within the 736-acre park, there has been significant mortality of overstory green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) due to the invasive emerald ash borer. Utilizing these already established mortality centers, three areas (or blocks) were identified. Prior to the removal of the mostly dead overstory, pretreatment conditions were measured. Overstory trees were removed during the...